Dover approves fitness trail grantDOVER — The Dover City Council and Board of Education each gave their support for a proposed community fitness trail to be constructed at Dover Primary School if a federal grant is approved. Lt. Barry Walker gave presentations to the council and the board during their respective August meetings. "What this encompasses is a fitness trail," Walker told the council. "I met with [Superintendent] Jerry Owens and we thought the primary school might ...

Dover partnership funds extendedDOVER — Superintendent Jerry Owens told the Dover Board of Education during its meeting last week the state extended partnership funds to help pay for renovations and new construction at the middle school. The district was awarded nearly $4.5 million in state-partnership funds in 2013. The district proposed a 5.5-mill increase in September 2013, which was overwhelmingly rejected by voters. Nearly 68 percent of the 1,218 voters — 824 — rejected...

Pottsville pays for resource officerPOTTSVILLE — Tim Overturf, who recently retired from the Pottsville Police Department, will be the school resource officer (SRO) for the Pottsville School District. The school district is currently paying Overturf directly as a contract employee. Overturf, who retired in late July, isn't allowed to be hired part-time by the department for 90 days. In October, the city will pay Overturf $11 per hour up to 29 hours, provide him with a car and pa...

Helping Locks of LoveBreya Bunting, of Dardanelle, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia a year ago when she was two and a half years old. Her aunt, Kim Smith, had recently decided to donate some of her hair to Locks of Love to help children undergoing chemotherapy, like Breya who still makes two trips per month to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Friday afternoon at Bliss Salon in Russellville, Breya assisted stylist Ashley Collins in cutting her aunt's ha...

Officers determine if ticket, arrest needed in accidentsWhen an accident involving a pedestrian or cyclist occurs, responding officers determine appropriate legal action. "If police on the scene determine there is probable cause to issue a citation or make an arrest, they will do one or the other as appropriate," Jeff Chandler, Pope County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, said. "If more evidence needs to be collected, they will start an investigation." Chandler said "numerous factors" go into determini...

Bond hearingsThe following individuals appeared during felony bond hearings Friday at the Pope County Detention Center. Their names, ages, anticipated charges and bond amounts are listed. If charged, they will appear Oct. 6 in Circuit Court. • Steven Sullivan, 27, theft of property — $10,000. On Aug. 15, Sullivan took a laptop valued at $2,200 from a local hospital, according to a police report. Sullivan allegedly admitted taking the laptop to try to conta...

Two Rivers takes the challengeHaving been challenged by various individuals and groups, the Two Rivers School District Administration and football coaches decided to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge as a group. The officials now challenge other River Valley Schools to do the same. Pictured are High School Principal Barry Fisher (left), Assistant Football Coach J. T. Barlow, Superintendent Jim Loyd, Assistant Football Coach Lawson Hipps, Head Football Coach Jimmy Wilson an...

Saturday concert wraps up summer music seriesThe Music Downtown at Sundown summer concert series will wrap up its second year with the final concert of the season beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday at Depot Park in Russellville Downtown. Entertainment for the evening will include the Old Dawgs, Jamie Lou & The Hullabaloo, and some guy named robb, who will be joined by the Irresponsibles. Who are the Old Dawgs? Take a few friends, add a common passion for music, mix in a variety of instruments,...

Runners take break in RussellvilleLacing up their shoes around daybreak, two men hit 30 miles of pavement each day in hopes of raising awareness. It’s the daily routine for Terry Hitchcock, 75, and Steve Knowlton, 49, who are running 3,414 miles to raise money for American veterans. Natives of Prior Lake, Minn., the veteran runners started their journey in Oceanside, Calif., on July 4. They expect to cross the finish line in New York City after making a pit stop in Washington,...

Arkansas Tech University welcomes Class of 2018To help show support for Arkansas Tech University for College Colors Day 2014, students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are asked to wear green and gold today. Pictured is the Arkansas Tech Class of 2018 posing for its group photo in front of the Doc Bryan Student Services Center on Tuesday morning immediately following the freshman convocation at Tucker Coliseum. ATU began its fall semester classes Wednesday.

Tri-County improvements stay under budgetManager John Choate told the Tri-County Regional Water Distribution District board during its regular meeting Thursday improvements to the building are around $23,000 under budget. Earlier this year, the board appropriated $55,000 for improvements to the building. Choate said the bid for the concrete work came in at $20,000. He presented the board Thursday with a bid of around $12,000 for stucco and faux stone panels, which would bring the tot...

AHTD warns of holiday lane closuresThe Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) announced there will be lane closures in the area over the Labor Day weekend. Interstate 40 in Russellville will have one lane closed for four miles in both directions over the holiday, AHTD spokesman Jeff Whatley said in a news release. One lane in each direction from mile marker 77 to mile marker 81 will be closed for 24 hours on Labor Day, weather permitting. Whatley said AHTD ...

News Briefs (Aug. 29, 2014)Exhibition opening at The Frame Shop and Gallery The Frame Shop and Gallery announces the opening of an exhibition of works by Beth Whitlow at 7 p.m. Saturday. The exhibition will run through Sept. 26. The work of internationally known artist, Beth Whitlow, is characterized by a fresh, whimsical perspective on dog portraiture. Contact Brian Irwin for details at (479) 445-3525. City of Russellville offices closed Labor Day All city of Russellvi...

RSD asks for feedback from parentsIn an effort to improve system practices, Russellville School District is conducting a Parent Survey. They value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/2943968 Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. The purpo...

Hospital warns of snake bite injuriesThough hospitals around the state have reported an increase in snake bite injuries, Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center said its cases have not risen this year. Tim Tanner, assistant director of the emergency room, said the rate of bite cases has remained steady. "We are not seeing any more this year than any other year," Tanner said. "Right now, it is pretty normal." Tanner said most of the snake bite injuries occur to an extremity, such as ...

Local resident to receive community service awardRussellville’s Allen Farley is one of six Arkansas residents who will be honored during the 38th annual Arkansas Community Service Awards next June in Little Rock. The Arkansas River Valley’s Log a Load for Kids chairman helped the state raise more than $500,000 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) last year and plans to continue his community service in the future. After four years of service with the Marines, the Mena native earned a bache...

Commission grants permitsThe Russellville Planning Commission unanimously approved a large-scale development request, a special-use permit and two non-standard commercial building requests during its regular meeting Monday night at Russellville City Hall. Commissioners approved a request submitted by Neil Corder on behalf of Wayne Smith Trucking for large-scale development of truck and trailer parking and a fuel station for company-owned equipment. Commissioners appro...

Pottsville funds street projectsPOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville City Council approved transferring $14,304 from county revenue to the street fund during its regular meeting Monday at Pottsville City Hall. Mayor Jerry Williams told alderman he initially wanted to transfer $23,000, but that wasn't possible. "We don't have that much in there," he said. Instead, the city will transfer what is available to help fund two upcoming street projects. "I have two roads that I'm getting pav...

News Briefs (Aug. 28, 2014)Governor appoints Cook to board Dr. Olin Cook of Russellville was reappointed by Gov. Mike Beebe to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinator Board on Monday. The appointment expires May 1, 2020. American Legion singing tonight The American Legion weekly singing will begin at 6 p.m. today at the American Legion Hut and will feature the Lee Mountain Boys with gospel and bluegrass music. City of Russellville offices closed Labor Day All city of ...